Scientific Name: Catagonus Wagneri

( Cat-a-gone-us Wag-ner-e)  

        Chacoan Peccaries are the largest of the three peccary species. Their hair could be a grayish color to a gray-brown. They also have a long snout (nose). On the tips of their noses is a large calous, which is used to push cactus leaves and break off large needles.

        This type of peccary, lives in a seasonally dry or flooded thorn forest. The area has small trees, dense shrubs and all different types of plants covering the ground, also including the cactus. They live in the driest regions of South America, the Alto Chaco in Paraguay. 

         If frightened, Chacoan peccaries flee, making long hairs rise and spraying a sweet smelling scent from a gland on their backs. Some scientists think this because they think the anmals use the odor to stay in a group. They stay together by smelling the odor.

        They live in small groups from two to ten individuals in a group, usually with four to five adults and accompanying children. These groups stay together even if being attacked.

        The breeding season for Chacoan peccaries is September through January. The litter sizes are usually one to four young, with about one year between births.

Click on the picture to return to South America